I’m not naive’: Foran says ball is in his court as mass cull looms at Manly
Veteran Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran knows the ball is in his court if he wants to continue his career beyond this season.
The Sea Eagles could part ways with Foran after just one season as the struggling club looks to rebuild its roster.
Fellow Manly players Martin Taupau, Curtis Sironen, Jorge Taufua, Tevita Funa, Reuben Garrick, Dylan Walker and Morgan Boyle are all facing uncertain futures.
Foran turns 31 in July, but he still feels like he has plenty to offer at the Sea Eagles or elsewhere in the NRL if he continues to perform.
The former New Zealand Test star’s first preference is to remain at Manly, even though the club has signed projected future five-eighth Josh Schuster until the end of the 2024 season.
“It has been great coming back here to Manly – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far,” said Foran, who has played 219 NRL games dating back to 2009.
“Look, providing I can stay injury-free and play good footy and bring something to this club, then of course I want to continue to play as long as I can play.
“It is a great game, and it is a great privilege that we get to be involved in such a great sport.
“But I’m not naive about it either, I know it is a result-based business and you need to produce on a weekly basis.”
The increased speed of the game has made it difficult for all players, but Foran insists his ageing body is holding up well.
He attributes a strong pre-season under Manly coach Des Hasler and respected conditioner Don Singe for helping him find peak fitness.
“I’m feeling really good,” he said.
“I’ve worked really hard over the pre-season along with the other guys to strengthen the areas I needed in my body, so I’m holding up really well.
“The game has become incredibly quick, but my body seems to be pulling up pretty well after each game and recovering well for the next week.
“It is just about building confidence now. It has been a tough start to the season for us, so I think all of us have been a bit down on confidence.
“But we are starting to play some good footy as a group, so if you do that you never know what can happen.”
Foran believes a key to Manly’s success will be the hard work of Hasler – a man he credits for igniting his career when he made his NRL debut with the Sea Eagles in 2009.
“My admiration for Dessie is very high, and I’ve always loved his style of coaching and philosophies around rugby league,” he said.
“So, to come back to not only this club, but to be back under Des has definitely put a smile on my face.
“I’m really enjoying being back here, it is a great bunch of guys and it is a special club.”
